Council seizes unlicensed private hire vehicle after illegal Facebook bookings uncovered in Doncaster

City of Doncaster Council has urged passengers to only use licensed taxi and private hire services after an unlicensed operator was caught offering illegal journeys through Facebook, leading to a vehicle being seized.

The enforcement action follows an investigation by the council’s licensing compliance team, working alongside South Yorkshire Police, after officers became aware of a private hire operator advertising and accepting bookings via the social media platform without the required licences.

According to the council, the operator first came to the attention of licensing officers after reports that fares were being taken through Facebook. Officers contacted the business and explained that it would need to obtain the appropriate private hire operator licence before accepting bookings. They also advised that any drivers would need to be licensed, vehicles would require council inspections, and suitable hire and reward insurance would be mandatory.

Despite being warned, the operator continued offering journeys. Licensing officers then carried out a covert test purchase, posing as customers to make a booking and confirm that illegal private hire work was still taking place.

Once the booking had been accepted, officers coordinated with South Yorkshire Police and waited at the agreed collection point. When the driver arrived to collect the passengers, enforcement officers intervened and the vehicle was seized after establishing that neither the operator nor the driver held the required licences and that the vehicle did not have the appropriate insurance needed for private hire work.

The council said the case demonstrates why passengers should only travel with properly licensed taxi and private hire operators. Licensed vehicles are subject to regular inspections, drivers undergo background and suitability checks, and vehicles must carry the correct insurance to transport passengers for hire or reward.

Councillor Gemma Cobby, Cabinet Member for Regulation and Enforcement, Planning and Safer Communities, said: “Drivers who are unlicensed undermine those who uphold professional standards and adhere to the law. They are unvetted, often uninsured, and unsafe. That is why our diligent licensing and compliance teams work hard to keep them off the roads. As this recent case shows, we will catch them.

“We have a robust policy that all licensed operators and drivers must abide by to ensure that the public are safe when using their services. They are all required to carry an identity badge bearing the council’s logo, and the vehicle must be clearly marked with its licence number and a plate bearing details of the licence. So, when booking a ride, please make sure that you use only those that are appropriately licensed. If you have any concerns about a private hire operator or a driver, please report it to us so that appropriate action can be taken.”